Baby's Breath: Annual (Gypsophila elegans)

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$1.00

0.257$0.25 - $5.60

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This dainty flower has become well-known for its role in the florists’ industry as a filler in bouquets. Originally it grew as a wildflower across much of Europe and Asia, and was introduced to the States in the late 19th century as a popular addition to flower gardens. The genus name Gypsophila means “lover of chalk,” referring to the type of light, alkaline soil that this plant prefers.

Starting Annual baby's breath seeds Indoors for spring

To start your Baby's Breath seeds indoors, sow your seeds in 2" Soil Blocks 4-6 weeks before the last frost date of your area. Keep your soil lightly moist until germination, which usually occurs in 10-15 days. Baby's Breath will begin to bloom in about 4 weeks from seed, for a duration of about 6 weeks. Be sure to sow them every couple weeks for continued blooms all summer. ​​

​TRANSPLANTING ANNUAL BABY'S BREATH SEEDLINGS OUTDOORS FOR SPRING

​STARTING ANNUAL BABY'S BREATH SEEDS OUTDOORS FOR SPRING

To direct sow your Baby's Breath seeds in spring, wait until after the soil has warmed to about 70 degrees F. Press your seed into the soil’s surface, since it requires light to sprout. Keep the soil moist until it germinates, which usually occurs in 10-15 days.

Baby's Breath grows quickly and grows best with regular watering as it develops it's blooms. Once mature, Baby's Breath can tolerate some drought. It will begin to bloom in about 4 weeks from seed, for a duration of about 6 weeks. Baby's Breath will self-seed readily, though cutting the foliage down to ground level after blooming will prevent this. Baby's Breath also attracts bees and butterflies, and resists deer.

For fresh flowers, cut long stems of flowers that have just opened and place them in water immediately; strip the leaves that will fall below the water. These flowers also dry well.

After blooming, each flower will develop a small round seed pod. It will self-seed readily , though cutting the foliage down to ground level after blooming will prevent this.As soon as the pods dry and contain mature black seed, shake them over a container to remove the seed. The entire plant can also be cut several inches above ground level and hung upside down, to allow the seed to fall as the plant dries.

Companion planting is an excellent practice for any skill level of gardener. By using the natural substances contained within a plant’s roots your garden can both repel unwanted insects and attract those with useful traits. Companion planting can also be used to group flowers that prefer similar conditions.

Using companion plants as a border, backdrop, or interplanting in your garden beds will allow you to harness the ecosystem to its full potential. It is best to use plants native to your area so that the insects you seek to attract will know what to look for!

Suggested Varieties

Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea)

$0.50 - $5.60

Foxglove grows as a wildflower in Great Britain and throughout Europe, and can be found in records dating back to the time of Edward III of England. Historically, its common name was “Folksglove” in reference to the little folk, or fairies; these flowers often grew in the deep dells and glades of the forest where the fairies were said to live. One legend states that naughty sprites would give the fox the blossoms of this plant to wear on his feet, to quiet his step among the farmyards. Dr. William Withering first brought foxglove to the attention of the medical world in 1785, detailing its use in an important document that helped begin the modern pharmacology movement. This plant produces digitoxin, a substance included in the heart stimulating drug digitalis. The name Digitalis, also the genus name of the species, comes from the Latin word for finger and refers to the shape of the foxglove blossom.